Relocation Stories
Vantage

Jersey’s delicate balance of lifestyle and business opportunities is often perfectly suited to the whole family. This has certainly been the case for the Belchers and their family business Vantage.

Martin, Chairman, Vantage, and father of Alex and Verienne, explained more about what the business does –

“Vantage is a Channel Islands professional services firm, offering a range of services to new and existing businesses. Our regulated services include insurance broking, captive insurance management, pensions, wealth management and life assurance; our non-regulated services comprise of property remuneration surveys, recruitment and HR advisory.

We began in Guernsey as a general insurance broking business in 2002, but gradually expanded and moved the majority of the business to Jersey ten years ago, where Richard Packman was already spearheading Vantage and still remains as CEO of the financial services group. Alex and Verienne slowly but surely followed and now we are a truly family affair on the Island.

I found Jersey very welcoming and think that is partly due to it having such a diverse community.”

Alex, Managing Director, Vantage Innovation, said he and his sister, Verienne, Managing Director, Vantage HBA and Director, Vantage Marketing, both had a positive experience of the transition –

Verienne also explained how she needed to move to Jersey in order to lead the recruitment and marketing elements of the business effectively –

“I used to commute to Jersey from Guernsey, like my dad still does, but soon realised it would make more sense to move. So, I spent a summer immersing myself in the Island culture to see what it would be like. Although it was a daunting prospect, I found Jersey very welcoming and think that is partly due to it having such a diverse community.

Locate Jersey looked after the whole family very well, and it doesn’t stop when you have made the move…”

Martin explained how Locate Jersey played an important role in their move –

“They were very helpful in assisting with all aspects, such as ensuring we made all the right contacts locally to keep Vantage developing in the right direction. Locate Jersey looked after the whole family very well, and it doesn’t stop when you have made the move; their after-care events are invaluable and have helped each and every one of us feel very welcome on the Island…even if we do come from Guernsey!”

Alex underlined why moving was the right choice, for both Vantage and the family –

“Jersey is very forward thinking, which provides the ideal platform for Vantage in that we like to think we have played a part in assisting the start-up and digital boom which is happening here. The take-up of shared office-space has been staggering – the spaces we own and manage are always full, which is evidence of the fact that Jersey is so supportive of innovation.

We are certainly an ambitious family, and it’s refreshing that Jersey reflects this with opportunities for Vantage to develop and grow. As a jurisdiction for both a family and business to be based, it’s a fantastic proposition.”

Want to know more about the benefits and process of establishing your Professional Services company in Jersey? Check out our Why Jersey for Financial Services Page. Alternatively get in touch today on +44(0)1534 440604 or email locatejersey@gov.je